Love's in the Air

Six fascinating ways birds showcase their special bonds

Eye-Opening Optics

The power of backyard nature, magnified

Savvy Shopping

Make the most of your next trip to the garden center

Beautiful and Bold Bullock's

Spot and attract these orioles in the western U.S. during breeding season

THE Wonder OF WARBLERS

With more than 50 species found in North America, enthusiasts clamor and gather for a chance to spot the energetic little birds during spring migration. Follow these amazing facts to appreciate them even more.

Fresh from the Garden

FOLLOW THIS ADVICE FOR A THRIVING AND SUCCESSFUL PLOT FULL OF BLOOMS PERFECT FOR CUTTING

Be a Hero to Pollinators

Seven ways to create a paradise for bees, butterflies and more beneficial bugs

Do you serve live or dried mealworms?

Readers share their preference when setting out this classic songbird treat

Caption This!

What's going on in this tufted titmouse's head?

A Bird in the Hand

What to consider before hand-feeding wild birds and how to do it safely

Ask the Experts

Get started on spring gardening and bird feeding with pro tips

The Art of Houseplants

10 tips from a designer about styling your indoor green spaces

NIGHT BLOOMING BEAUTIES

Readers share dramatic photos of flowers that emerge when the sun goes down

THE BOLD AND THE BRAINY

With abilities that range from REMEMBERING FACES to PLAYING TRICKS ON PEOPLE, jays, crows and other members of the corvid family are considered some of THE SMARTEST BIRDS ON THE PLANET

Strike a Pose

Birds model their most dramatic looks for the camera

Quite the Arrangement

Grow these easy-care, long-lasting flowers for DIY bouquets

Heralds of Spring

Attract mountain bluebirds with nest boxes, mealworms and more

How do you serve peanut butter to birds?

Readers share their favorite ways to offer the high-protein snack to backyard visitors.

Music in the Dark

When the sun sets, a night symphony begins-meet a few of the insect players.

OUT & ABOUT OWLS

LUCKY READERS PHOTOGRAPHED THESE MAJESTIC AND USUALLY NOCTURNAL-BIRDS DURING THE DAY.

flowing into FALL

PLAN A LANDSCAPE THAT FLOURISHES BEYOND JUST SPRING AND SUMMER FOR A SPACE BOTH YOU AND THE VISITING WILDLIFE WILL LOVE

BLACK BEAUTIES

BRIGHT, COLORFUL BIRDS get all the glory, but these captivating coal-colored creatures are fun to encounter, even if some of them are a bit spooky looking.

Wade into Nature

Experience autumn hues through readers' camera lenses.

Bulb Basics

How to plant tulips in fall for a bounty of spring colors.

Best-in-Show Hydrangeas

These champs offer up the classic shrub's most impressive attributes.

Invest in Next Spring

Plant these bulbs in fall for carpets of color the following year.

Sap Tappers

Listen for drumming as the yellow-bellied sapsucker looks for sweet treats in the trees.

A woodpecker's world

From tree-climbing downies to ground foraging flickers to sap-loving sapsuckers, woodpeckers delight and entertain us with their unique markings, fascinating flight patterns and distinctive drumming sounds. Here are fun facts to enrich your viewing of these dashing birds.

Zoom in on - Butterflies

Photographing the fast fliers requires patience, but these snapshots from readers prove it's worth the wait.

Easy Breezy Gardening

Seven tips for a beautiful low-maintenance yard with minimal fuss and effort.